Atrocities against women and children rising in Kerala

Women and children in the state appear to have become more unsafe than ever before. The recent crime statistics published by the Kerala Police till June 2011 reveal a disturbing increase in crimes against women and children.

Around 546 rape cases have been reported in the first six months of 2011 against 617 cases last year. Kasargod tops the list with 96 cases marking around four-fold increase from the previous year.

Thiruvananthapuram stands second with 76 cases while the least number of cases were registered in Kannur with 12. As far as atrocities against children are concerned, a total of 698 cases were reported till June. The number of cases reported in the previous year was 596.

There is a noticeable increase in rape cases, kidnapping and abduction and other crimes against children.

Social activists and leaders of women’s organisations consider this as an indication of the increasing rate of decadence occurring in the society. “Reports of girls being raped by their fathers are coming up every day now.?? The situation is so pathetic that girls are not safe even with their fathers. This should be seen as the consequence of increase in alcohol consumption.

With globalisation and urbanisation, people are becoming more money-oriented, deliberately ignoring the values of relationships and ethics,” said K Ajitha, social activists and president of Anweshi Women’s Counselling Centre based in Kozhikode.

Malappuram continues to top the list in the cases pertaining to cruelty against women from husbands

or relatives with 340 cases out of the total 1,109 cases reported in the period. Last time, the total figure of Malappuram district in this category was 652. Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode districts follow the list with 287, 284 and 245 cases respectively. The highest number of molestation cases was reported in state capital-382.

As many as 6,600 cases were registered in the state till June 2011 on crimes against women. Cases pertaining to rape and cruelty by husbands apart, these include: 1,816 molestation cases, 101 kidnapping cases, 347 eve teasing cases, six dowry cases and 1,109 other offences.